During our visit to Roanoke, Jenn and I spent a full day in nearby Rocky Mount, VA, and we’re so glad we did. This small mountain town really surprised us — it’s friendly, walkable, full of character, and has that laid-back vibe that makes you feel right at home.
You can sense the pride locals have in their community, and between the historic downtown, great food, and live music, Rocky Mount makes for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway in Virginia’s Blue Ridge and it's only 30 minutes from Roanoke, VA.
Where is Rocky Mount, Virginia?
Rocky Mount is about 25 miles south of Roanoke, just off Highway 220 in Franklin County, Virginia. The drive down is beautiful, with rolling hills and farmland stretching out in every direction.
It’s an easy day trip from Roanoke — roughly a 35-minute drive — and a great stop if you’re exploring Smith Mountain Lake or heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Why Visit Rocky Mount?
Rocky Mount is one of those small towns that’s full of life but still keeps its relaxed, small-town feel. You’ll find a charming downtown area filled with local shops, restaurants, and music venues, and it’s home to the Harvester Performance Center, one of the best small music venues in the region.
It’s also known as the gateway to The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, a 300-mile driving route that celebrates the rich musical traditions of Appalachia. The trail begins right here in Rocky Mount and winds through the mountains of Southwest Virginia, connecting communities where bluegrass, old-time, and gospel music have deep roots. That musical heritage is still alive in Rocky Mount today, and you can feel it in the town’s culture, creativity, and friendly spirit.
Between the music, the history, and the small-town hospitality, Rocky Mount makes for an easy and rewarding getaway in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Things to Do in Rocky Mount, Virginia
For a small town, Rocky Mount really surprised us with how much there is to see and do.
The downtown area has a nice mix of local history, small shops, and friendly people, all surrounded by beautiful countryside that’s fun to explore. We spent the day seeing what Rocky Mount offered and came away really impressed with its character and the pride locals have in their community.
Explore Downtown Rocky Mount
We started our visit downtown at the Rocky Mount, VA Visitor Center, which is the perfect first stop. The staff were friendly and full of great information about the area — from where to eat to local history and things to do.
From there, we walked around downtown, checked out the historic buildings, and stopped into a few local shops. It’s a relaxed and enjoyable place to wander, and you really get that small-town Virginia feel.
Visit the Moonshine Explosion Museum
One of the most interesting places we stopped was the Moonshine Explosion Museum, located right downtown. This interactive museum tells the story of Franklin County’s moonshine history — from Prohibition to modern-day craft distilling.
On July 11, 1930, a man claiming to be a "salesman" pulled into the building, which at the time was a mechanic's garage. He told the staff he was having car trouble. The mechanics wanted to let the car cool down before working on it, so they went home for dinner, planning to return later. While away, the car, which was carrying a full load of illegal moonshine, caught fire and caused an explosion that damaged the building and burned through the floor.
You can see the remnants of the explosion today, which were hidden behind brick walls until recently.
You’ll also see old stills, historic photos, and even a short film that brings the “moonshine capital of the world” story to life. The film is multi-media as well, with neat lighting and sound effects, and very well done.
The museum is fun, educational, and a great way to understand how deeply moonshining shaped this region’s culture and people.
Hike at Smith Mountain Lake Community Park
After exploring downtown, we took a short drive out to Smith Mountain Lake State Park for a relaxing hike along the lake.
We stopped by the visitor and welcome center on the way in to get some information on the best trail for views of the lake. The staff members there were very friendly, fun and helpful. We enjoyed meeting and talking with them. We also toured the exhibits and store they have there as well, and met "Bubba" a largemouth bass they have in a large aquairum - He has quite the personality and loves posing for photos.
They recommended the Turtle Island Trail, which was a fantastic suggestion. The trail goes along the lake out to Turtle Island, which offers outstanding views. The island is the perfect spot to watch a sunset and see one of the Osprey nests. We even saw a few deer during our hike.
The trail was easy and scenic, winding through the woods with several great viewpoints over the water. It’s peaceful, quiet, and the perfect way to unwind after spending time in town.
Explore The Crooked Road
Rocky Mount marks The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, a 300-mile driving route that winds through Southwest Virginia celebrating the region’s deep Appalachian music roots. The trail connects towns and communities where traditional bluegrass, gospel, and old-time mountain music have been passed down through generations — often played on front porches, in general stores, and at Friday night jam sessions.
We didn’t have time to explore the entire route, but standing at the beginning of it in Rocky Mount gave us a real sense of connection to the area’s musical heritage.
The Crooked Road leads to some incredible stops, including The Floyd Country Store (home to the famous Friday Night Jamboree), the Blue Ridge Music Center near Galax with its excellent museum and summer concerts, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol. Even if you just travel a short stretch, it’s a scenic drive full of history, culture, and that authentic Appalachian spirit that makes this region so special.
Where to Eat?
For a small community, Rocky Mount has a surprisingly good dining scene — from casual local hangouts to one of the best speakeasies we’ve ever visited anywhere in the Blue Ridge. Here are a few of the places we visited and really enjoyed during our trip.
Anastasia’s Speakeasy
We had dinner at Anastasia’s Speakeasy, and it turned out to be one of the coolest dining experiences we’ve ever had.
When you first walk in, you’re greeted by a small, nicely decorated room with stairs going up and a large vintage candy machine sitting against the wall. It took us literally a minute to figure out that the candy machine was actually a hidden door leading into the real speakeasy — how cool is that?
Inside, the room is dark and cozy, with no windows and full of period décor that makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight back into the 1920s. We started off with a round of drinks — including one of their smoked old fashioneds.
At Anastasia’s, they actually smoke the ice, which gives the drink a deep, lingering smoky flavor that’s unlike anything we’ve tried elsewhere.
For dinner, we ordered salads and pizza, and both were excellent. The food, drinks, and service were top-notch, and the entire experience was just plain fun.
Anastasia’s quickly became one of our favorite places — and honestly, it’s the best speakeasy we’ve visited anywhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Be sure to pay them a visit.
Rocky Mount Burger Company
We stopped in at Rocky Mount Burger Company for lunch — a laid-back, local bar and grill that’s a popular spot with both locals and visitors. It has a casual, friendly atmosphere, so we grabbed a couple of seats at the bar.
We started off with fried pickles, then ordered burgers along with a mixed drink and a local beer. They have a very large burger selection, as you would expect.
The food was good and the service was friendly, but overall, it’s a pretty simple place — the kind of spot where you can grab a decent meal and a drink without any fuss. Nothing fancy, just good, straightforward bar food and a relaxed vibe.
Olde Towne Social House
We stopped into Olde Towne Social House during our visit, not to eat, but to make our way through to the Moonshine Explosion Museum located downstairs. Still, we couldn’t help but take a few minutes to look around — and honestly, we wished we’d had more time to stay.
Olde Towne Social House is an elegant yet comfortable wine bar that serves food like small plates, charcuterie, sandwiches, and entrees. The décor is absolutely beautiful — vintage-style furniture, cozy couches, and intimate seating areas that make it the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine or enjoy a quiet meal.
It’s the kind of place you walk into and immediately want to come back to when you have more time. Next time we’re in Rocky Mount, it’s definitely on our list for lunch or dinner.
Where to Stay
If you decide to stay overnight in Rocky Mount, you’ll find a few great options — from historic inns to familiar hotels and cozy vacation rentals. The town is small, but its location near Roanoke and Smith Mountain Lake makes it a convenient base for exploring more of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Early Inn at the Grove
This beautiful 1850s-era Greek Revival home sits on a quiet stretch of land just outside downtown. It’s full of character, with large rooms, southern charm, and peaceful grounds shaded by huge old trees. If you’re looking for a boutique-style stay, this is the one.
Holiday Inn Express Rocky Mount
Located right off Highway 220, this is a solid, comfortable option with modern rooms and a great location close to everything in town. We often like to stay at Holiday Inn Express when we’re traveling — you know exactly what you’ll get, and it’s always clean, quiet, and convenient.
Vacation Rentals
If you prefer a more private or home-like stay, you’ll find a nice selection of vacation rentals in and around Rocky Mount, especially near Smith Mountain Lake. Cabins, cottages, and lakefront homes make for a peaceful stay surrounded by nature.
Whether you want a historic inn, a trusted hotel, or a quiet lakeside retreat, Rocky Mount has a little something for everyone.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to Rocky Mount, a little preparation will help you make the most of your time here. It’s an easy town to explore, and most of what you’ll want to see is right downtown or just a short drive away. Here are a few tips based on our visit that’ll help you plan your own trip and experience some of the best the area has to offer.
- Start at the Visitor Center – It’s a great first stop. The staff are friendly and full of local knowledge about where to eat, what to see, and what events might be happening while you’re in town.
- Business Hours - Many of the restaurants and businesses don't open until 4pm - So plan around this - We spent most of the afternoon at Smith Mountain lake, so we could arrive back in town around 5pm.
- Plan at least a full day – Between exploring downtown, visiting the Moonshine Explosion Museum, hiking at Smith Mountain Lake, and grabbing a great meal, you can easily fill a day here.
- Check The Crooked Road map before your trip – Since the trail begins right in Rocky Mount, it’s worth planning a short drive along it to take in the scenery and Appalachian music heritage. The Visitor Center has guides on the Crooked Road.
- Catch a show if you can – The Harvester Performance Center downtown often hosts big-name musicians in an intimate setting, and it’s one of the region’s best venues.
- Combine Rocky Mount with a visit to Roanoke or Smith Mountain Lake – Both are close by and make great additions to a Blue Ridge weekend getaway.
